Buoyed by Vibrant Denver win, mayor aims for tipped minimum wage change, ‘quality of life’ crime crackdown – The Denver Post

Report on Denver’s Urban Policy and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Vibrant Denver Bond Approval: A Catalyst for Sustainable Urban Development

• Voter approval of the Vibrant Denver bond package provides significant momentum for Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration.
• This success is positioned to advance key objectives aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, funding projects aimed at enhancing urban infrastructure and public spaces.
• The approval follows a previous electoral setback for Ballot Issue 2R, an initiative designed to address housing affordability, a critical component of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 11.

Administration’s Forward Agenda: Balancing Economic, Social, and Health Goals

1. Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): The administration plans to address local minimum wage laws for tipped workers. This initiative presents a challenge in balancing the need for a living wage (SDG 1: No Poverty) with the economic viability of the restaurant industry, a key part of the local economy.
2. Public Health and Safety (SDG 3 & SDG 16): A strategy to address low-level “quality of life” crimes is being developed. This approach focuses on connecting individuals with services and, in some cases, mandating treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, directly contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The 2026 budget includes funding for a new “treatment court,” aiming to integrate justice with health outcomes, in line with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
3. Homelessness and Downtown Recovery: These remain key priorities, integral to achieving a safe, inclusive, and resilient city as envisioned by SDG 11.

Challenges in Governance and Institutional Transparency (SDG 16)

• The administration’s approach has raised concerns regarding its alignment with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which emphasizes accountable and transparent governance.
• Specific instances cited as challenges to this goal include:
• The unilateral extension of a contract with Flock, a surveillance technology company, circumventing a City Council vote.
• A perceived lack of public disclosure regarding municipal business dealings, including unpaid rent from a former tenant and details of a land swap for a new city park.
• Unproven claims made by the mayor regarding high-profile criminal cases, which have raised questions about institutional credibility.
• These actions have contributed to a tense relationship with the City Council, potentially hindering the collaborative governance necessary for effective implementation of sustainable development policies.

Conclusion: Path Forward for Denver’s Sustainable Development

• The successful bond passage provides the Johnston administration with significant political capital to pursue an agenda that intersects with multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
• Moving forward, a primary challenge will be to leverage this momentum while strengthening institutional processes and public trust, ensuring that progress towards urban development, economic equity, and public well-being is achieved through transparent and inclusive governance, as mandated by SDG 16.

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article discusses the mayor’s plan to address low-level “quality of life” crimes often committed by individuals with substance use issues and mental illnesses. This connects to SDG 3 by focusing on public health challenges. The strategy includes “mandating treatment for mental illnesses and substance use” and establishing a new “treatment court” with a dedicated budget.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The city’s efforts to bring a “women’s soccer team — and stadium — to the Baker neighborhood” are mentioned. This initiative promotes women’s participation in professional sports, which is a part of public life, aligning with the goal of ensuring women’s full and effective participation in all societal spheres.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article highlights a significant policy discussion regarding “local minimum wage laws for tipped workers.” The city administration is considering changes to balance “workers’ need for a living wage with the desire to attract businesses to the city core,” which directly relates to the principles of decent work and sustainable economic growth.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Several issues in the article fall under this goal. The failure of “Ballot Issue 2R,” which would have allocated “$100 million per year for housing affordability efforts,” directly addresses the challenge of providing adequate and affordable housing. Additionally, the approval of the “Vibrant Denver bond” and projects like the creation of a “new city park” from the former Park Hill Golf Course and a new stadium contribute to developing inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban infrastructure and public spaces.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This SDG is addressed through two main themes. First, the focus on public safety, including the use of “AI-powered license plate reader system” (Flock cameras) and a crackdown on crime, relates to ensuring safety and justice. Second, the article highlights issues of institutional transparency and accountability. The mayor’s “unilateral decisions without input from the council or the public,” such as the Flock contract extension and withholding information on land swaps and rent payments, along with making “unproven claims,” raise questions about the effectiveness and transparency of governance.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. This target is directly identified through the mayor’s plan to tackle crimes related to drug use by “mandating treatment for mental illnesses and substance use” and creating a dedicated “treatment court.”

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The city’s deal to establish a “women’s soccer team — and stadium” supports this target by promoting women’s professional sports, enhancing their visibility and participation in the public and economic life of the city.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for equal work of equal value. The debate over Denver’s minimum wage for tipped workers, aiming to find a proposal that “balances workers’ need for a living wage,” is a direct effort to define and implement policies for decent work.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. The failed ballot initiative that aimed to set aside “$100 million per year for housing affordability efforts” is a clear attempt to address this target.
• Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The successful “Vibrant Denver bond” and specific projects mentioned, such as the “new city park” on the former Park Hill Golf Course and the new soccer stadium, are initiatives aimed at achieving this target.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The city’s focus on public safety, including the use of Flock cameras for “fighting crime” and addressing “quality of life” crimes, aligns with the goal of reducing violence and creating a safer environment.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. This target is highlighted by the criticisms against the mayor for a “lack of transparency” and making “unilateral decisions,” such as extending the Flock contract without a council vote and withholding information about land and lease deals. These issues point to a need for more accountable and transparent governance.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Policy Indicator: The plan to mandate treatment for substance use and mental illness.
• Financial/Institutional Indicator: The creation of a new “treatment court” with a budget of “about $880,000” and two employees.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Project Indicator: The finalization of the city’s deal to bring a women’s soccer team and build a new stadium.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Quantitative Indicator: Denver’s minimum wage rate (“$18.81 per hour and going to $19.29 in 2026”) and the specific minimum wage for tipped workers (“about $3 less”).
• Policy Indicator: The proposal and potential passage of new legislation changing the city’s tipped minimum wage laws.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Financial Indicator: The proposed allocation of “$100 million per year for housing affordability” from the failed Ballot Issue 2R.
• Financial Indicator: The successful passage of the “Vibrant Denver bond” to fund city projects.
• Project Indicator: The acquisition of land and development of a “new city park” and a new soccer stadium.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Technological Indicator: The implementation and use of the “AI-powered license plate reader system” (Flock) to fight crime.
• Qualitative Indicator: Public and City Council criticism (“flak,” “called foul”) regarding the mayor’s “lack of transparency” and “unilateral decisions,” which serves as an informal measure of institutional accountability.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: denverpost.com